One student is dead and four more are wounded following a Monday morning shooting at Chardon High School, officials have said.

The deceased student, 16-year-old Daniel Parmertor, was flown by medical helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where he died of a gunshot wound, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.

The other victims were transported to MetroHealth and to Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights. Officials have not released the identities of the other victims, but said two were in critical condition at MetroHealth, and one serious and one in stable condition at Hillcrest.

The suspect, whom officials are not naming until charges are filed, is a student and is in police custody following the shooting.

Police scanner audio, video scenes from Chardon school shooting

Classes are canceled for the entire district Tuesday and grief counselors are available to students and staff, Superintendent Joe Bergant said. A number of vigils also are planned.

The school was placed on lockdown and disaster protocols were followed immediately, Bergant said.

While police were en route, one of the teachers reportedly chased the suspect from the building, McKenna said. The suspect was apprehended shortly afterward, McKenna said.

Some students weren't able to use their phones during the lockdown, but those who had access to their phones took to Twitter, saying it actually was a coach who chased the suspect from the building at risk to his own life.

When the lockdown ended, students were transferred across the street to an elementary school and from there they were released to parents.

Four of the five victims were students at Auburn Career Center in Concord Township, said Auburn Superintendent Maggie Lynch.

Two students take an alternative energy technology class, one student takes a culinary class, and the victim who died had taken a Cisco computer network class, Lynch said.

The students were waiting at Chardon High School to board a bus that would then bring them to Auburn for morning classes, and would then return to Chardon for afternoon classes, she said.

Lynch said she believes the suspect rode same bus as the victims.

She said the bus went to the career center first, then would take the suspect and others to Lake Academy in Willoughby. Lake Academy is an alternative school for at-risk students in grades seven through 12. Then, the bus would pick up students from the academy, stop at Auburn to pick up other students, and then return to Chardon.

"I did not know them (victims) nearly as well as their teachers did," Lynch said.

The students had the same teacher for three hours each day, so their relationships "were not typical," she said.

"It's hard to describe how teachers are feeling after this loss," Lynch said.

Grief counselors would be available Tuesday for both students and staff, Lynch said.

"We want to provide as much support as we possibly can to help them process this event," she said.

Students at Chardon High School -- many of whom appeared more calm than their emotional parents -- expressed shock that such a thing would happen in Chardon.

"I would have never thought -- you hear stories on the news and you never think it's going to happen (here)," freshman Cassy Cicero said.

Cassy was in the cafeteria when the shooting started and described hearing popping sounds, like that of a balloon. Students dived under tables and, after the shooter left the scene, the students fled to a neighboring room and barricaded the door with piano, Cassy said.

"It didn't really hit me at first because I couldn't believe that it was happening. I was still in shock and just focused on getting to the room and staying there and being quiet and making sure everyone was OK," she said.

Senior Melissa Schmuhl said students at first thought it was just a drill, because they've practiced lockdown drills in the past, but quickly realized it wasn't practice.

"We saw a swarm of people running right by the classroom and then we saw a kid with a gun right behind them," she said. "We heard three shots before that and then my teacher closed the door and we all just sat in a corner."

Students wanted to call their parents but couldn't get to their phones because of the lockdown, Schmuhl said.

Senior Garret Szalay said he was on the far end of the building from where the shooting happened but said it was scary because "nothing happens here" normally. He expressed gratitude toward police and other officials for their response to the situation.

Sheriff Dan McClelland said law enforcement officials have held drills over the past several years that enabled them to respond quickly to the scene.

"We believe that helped to lessen the tragedy that had occurred. Unfortunately, much had occurred prior to law enforcement's arrival," McClelland said.

Several streets away, at a Meadowlands Drive shopping center, officials had set up a triage zone and helicopter landing pad. It was from there that injured students were evacuated.

Parent Rob Porter was among a handful of parents fretting in the parking lot there, awaiting news early that morning. His son, Brandon, 15, had planned to miss school that day because of family circumstances, but had cousins and neighbors still in the building.

Porter described getting an automated emergency message from the school saying the structure was on lockdown and that students were expected to be evacuated to the shopping center.

"We thank God that our son was home, but we worry. We know all the parents. We know all the kids," Porter said.

At an afternoon news conference, officials released few new details, but worked to put the shaken community's fears somewhat at ease.

"I want to assure the Chardon community we are safe," said McKenna said.

Bergant expressed his sympathies to the victims' families and the entire community.

"If you haven't hugged or kissed your kids in a couple days, now would be a good time," Bergant said.

Earlier story ...

One victim of Monday's shooting at Chardon High School has died, according to Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna.

The school was evacuated a few hours after the 7:38 a.m. incident. FBI and Geauga County Sheriff's officials say one shooter is in custody after five people were injured.

MetroHealth Medical Center, which received three of the victims, has identified the deceased student as Daniel Parmentor.

His family made the following statement: "We are shocked by this senseless tragedy. Danny was a bright young boy who had a bright future ahead of him. The family is torn by this loss. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna said the suspect's name also will not be released yet, because he has not been charged. He was taken into custody in the area surrounding the school. The other two victims were taken to Hillcrest Hospital. Unconfirmed reports indicate the victims were four boys and one girl.

Freshman Hailey Tarbet said she was sitting in first period doing work when the shooting occurred.

"One of the teachers was screaming, `Lockdown!' We heard a bunch of doors slamming," said Hailey. "We went into lockdown practice, and sat against the walls. I didn't think anything was happening. I thought it was a drill. The other kids heard gunshots and were screaming."

Chardon High student Sarah Kraska was in art class and also thought it was a drill.

"One of the kids in the class opened the door," she said. "The police came in with the kids and said, 'Are any of you armed? Do any of you have guns?'"

Sarah's mother, Patricia, also has a son at the high school.

Patricia Kraska said her son called her to pick him up after running outside to Maple Avenue with his friends. The boys walked to a friends' house, where his mother picked him up.

A father of a 10th grade girl who asked not to be identified said: "I heard this young man was being bullied. He was a quiet kid."

Students are being quoted by multiple televised media sources as saying that the shooter is a fellow student. One told a WKYC-TV 3 reporter that the shooter was a student who "had gotten into trouble a lot at school."

Chardon Schools spokeswoman Ellen Ondrey said district officials are asking parents not to come to the school.

Officials said their first priority is to question everyone. Sheriff's Lt. John Hiscox said all students have been removed from the school and taken to Maple Elementary School, and that law enforcement officials are still inside Chardon High.

Parents are standing in a long line outside Maple Elementary, waiting to be reunited with their students.

Geauga County Sheriff's officials are allowing parents or legal guardians to retrieve middle school and elementary school students in groups of five. Sheriff's officials are telling parents to be patient as they go through the process of releasing the students.

At 10 a.m., a young man identifying himself as 18-year-old Chardon High School senior Evan Erasmus was interviewed live on Channel 5.

Erasmus said he knows the alleged shooter, whose name he did make public.

"He was not like a jock, a popular kid,"' Erasmus said. "He has friends, but he would be considered the outcast type."

Erasmus also said he was in the immediate area when the shooting took place at what he said was "about 7:30 (a.m.).

"I'm pretty sure they were all Auburn (Career Center) students," Erasmus said, referring to the five wounded students. "I'm not sure if they were targeted or if they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

WKYC-TV 3 spoke to a parent of a male student at the school. He said he heard about the shooting on the radio and raced to the school. He said he had spoken to his son, whom he described as "very calm."

"I'm absolutely scared out of my mind," he said. Continued...

"I just want him back. I'm not gonna be able to calm down until I can hold him."

He said that his son didn't know much when he spoke with him on the phone.

"He just said he is in lockdown and can't get out."

Earlier story ...

CHARDON -- One victim of Monday's shooting at Chardon High School has died, according to Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna.

The school was evacuated a few hours after the 7:38 a.m. incident. FBI and Geauga County Sheriff's officials say one shooter is in custody after five people were injured.

Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna did not release the victim's identity, or reveal the gender.

McKenna said the suspect's name also will not be released yet, because he has not been charged. He was taken into custody in the area surrounding the school. Three victims were trasported to MetroHealth Medical Center and two to Hillcrest Hospital. Unconfirmed reports indicate the victims were four boys and one girl.

Freshman Hailey Tarbet said she was sitting in first period doing work when the shooting occurred.

"One of the teachers was screaming, `Lockdown!' We heard a bunch of doors slamming," said Hailey. "We went into lockdown practice, and sat against the walls. I didn't think anything was happening. I thought it was a drill. The other kids heard gunshots and were screaming."

Chardon High student Sarah Kraska was in art class and also thought it was a drill.

"One of the kids in the class opened the door," she said. "The police came in with the kids and said, 'Are any of you armed? Do any of you have guns?'"

Sarah's mother, Patricia, also has a son at the high school.

Patricia Kraska said her son called her to pick him up after running outside to Maple Avenue with his friends. The boys walked to a friends' house, where his mother picked him up.

A father of a 10th grade girl who asked not to be identified said: "I heard this young man was being bullied. He was a quiet kid."

Students are being quoted by multiple televised media sources as saying that the shooter is a fellow student. One told a WKYC-TV 3 reporter that the shooter was a student who "had gotten into trouble a lot at school."

Chardon Schools spokeswoman Ellen Ondrey said district officials are asking parents not to come to the school.

Officials said their first priority is to question everyone. Sheriff's Lt. John Hiscox said all students have been removed from the school and taken to Maple Elementary School, and that law enforcement officials are still inside Chardon High.

Parents are standing in a long line outside Maple Elementary, waiting to be reunited with their students.

Geauga County Sheriff's officials are allowing parents or legal guardians to retrieve middle school and elementary school students in groups of five. Sheriff's officials are telling parents to be patient as they go through the process of releasing the students.

At 10 a.m., a young man identifying himself as 18-year-old Chardon High School senior Evan Erasmus was interviewed live on Channel 5.

Erasmus said he knows the alleged shooter, whose name he did make public.

"He was not like a jock, a popular kid,"' Erasmus said. "He has friends, but he would be considered the outcast type."

Erasmus also said he was in the immediate area when the shooting took place at what he said was "about 7:30 (a.m.).

"I'm pretty sure they were all Auburn (Career Center) students," Erasmus said, referring to the five wounded students. "I'm not sure if they were targeted or if they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

WKYC-TV 3 spoke to a parent of a male student at the school. He said he heard about the shooting on the radio and raced to the school. He said he had spoken to his son, whom he described as "very calm."

"I'm absolutely scared out of my mind," he said. Continued...

"I just want him back. I'm not gonna be able to calm down until I can hold him."

He said that his son didn't know much when he spoke with him on the phone.

"He just said he is in lockdown and can't get out."

Earlier story ...

UPDATE: One of the student shot at Chardon High School has died, the Chardon police chief announced at a noon news conference. More details to come.

Earlier story ....

Chardon High School is on lockdown after a shooting at the school. FBI and Geauga County Sheriff's officials say one shooter is in custody after five people were injured.

Officials didn't go into any detail on the incident, and offered no information on who the gunman is, or about the severity of the injuries. Three victims have been trasported to MetroHealth Medical Center and two to Hillcrest Hospital. Unconfirmed reports indicate the victims were four boys and one girl.

Freshman Hailey Tarbet said she was sitting in first period doing work when the shooting occurred.

"One of the teachers was screaming, `Lockdown!' We heard a bunch of doors slamming," said Hailey. "We went into lockdown practice, and sat against the walls. I didn't think anything was happening. I thought it was a drill. The other kids heard gunshots and were screaming."

Chardon High student Sarah Kraska was in art class and also thought it was a drill.

"One of the kids in the class opened the door," she said. "The police came in with the kids and said, 'Are any of you armed? Do any of you have guns?'"

Sarah's mother, Patricia, also has a son at the high school.

Patricia Kraska said her son called her to pick him up after running outside to Maple Avenue with his friends. The boys walked to a friends' house, where his mother picked him up.

A father of a 10th grade girl who asked not to be identified said: "I heard this young man was being bullied. He was a quiet kid."

Students are being quoted by multiple televised media sources as saying that the shooter is a fellow student. One told a WKYC-TV 3 reporter that the shooter was a student who "had gotten into trouble a lot at school."

Chardon Schools spokeswoman Ellen Ondrey said district officials are asking parents not to come to the school.

Officials said their first priority is to question everyone. Sheriff's Lt. John Hiscox said all students have been removed from the school and taken to Maple Elementary School, and that law enforcement officials are still inside Chardon High.

Parents are standing in a long line outside Maple Elementary, waiting to be reunited with their students.

Geauga County Sheriff's officials are allowing parents or legal guardians to retrieve middle school and elementary school students in groups of five. Sheriff's officials are telling parents to be patient as they go through the process of releasing the students.

At 10 a.m., a young man identifying himself as 18-year-old Chardon High School senior Evan Erasmus was interviewed live on Channel 5.

Erasmus said he knows the alleged shooter, whose name he did make public.

"He was not like a jock, a popular kid,"' Erasmus said. "He has friends, but he would be considered the outcast type."

Erasmus also said he was in the immediate area when the shooting took place at what he said was "about 7:30 (a.m.).

"I'm pretty sure they were all Auburn (Career Center) students," Erasmus said, referring to the five wounded students. "I'm not sure if they were targeted or if they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

WKYC-TV 3 spoke to a parent of a male student at the school. He said he heard about the shooting on the radio and raced to the school. He said he had spoken to his son, whom he described as "very calm."

"I'm absolutely scared out of my mind," he said. Continued...

"I just want him back. I'm not gonna be able to calm down until I can hold him."

He said that his son didn't know much when he spoke with him on the phone.

"He just said he is in lockdown and can't get out."

Earlier story ...

Chardon High School is on lockdown after a shooting at the school. FBI and Geauga County Sheriff's officials say one shooter is in custody after four people were injured.

Officials didn't go into any detail on the incident, and offered no information on who the gunman is, or about the severity of the injuries.

Freshman Hailey Tarbet said she was sitting in first period doing work when the shooting occurred.

"One of the teachers was screaming, `Lockdown!' We heard a bunch of doors slamming," said Hailey. "We went into lockdown practice, and sat against the walls. I didn't think anything was happening. I thought it was a drill. The other kids heard gunshots and were screaming."

Chardon High student Sarah Kraska was in art class and also thought it was a drill.

"One of the kids in the class opened the door," she said. "The police came in with the kids and said, 'Are any of you armed? Do any of you have guns?'"

Sarah's mother, Patricia, also has a son at the high school.

Patricia Kraska said her son called her to pick him up after running outside to Maple Avenue with his friends. The boys walked to a friends' house, where his mother picked him up.

Students are being quoted by multiple televised media sources as saying that the shooter is a fellow student. One told a WKYC-TV 3 reporter that the shooter was a student who "had gotten into trouble a lot at school."

Chardon Schools spokeswoman Ellen Ondrey said district officials are asking parents not to come to the school.

Officials said their first priority is to question everyone. Sheriff's Lt. John Hiscox said all students have been removed from the school and taken to Maple Elementary School, and that law enforcement officials are still inside Chardon High.

Parents are standing in a long line outside Maple Elementary, waiting to be reunited with their students.

Geauga County Sheriff's officials are allowing parents or legal guardians to retrieve middle school and elementary school students in groups of five. Sheriff's officials are telling parents to be patient as they go through the process of releasing the students.

WKYC-TV 3 spoke to a parent of a male student at the school. He said he heard about the shooting on the radio and raced to the school. He said he had spoken to his son, whom he described as "very calm."

"I'm absolutely scared out of my mind," he said. Continued...

"I just want him back. I'm not gonna be able to calm down until I can hold him."

He said that his son didn't know much when he spoke with him on the phone.

"He just said he is in lockdown and can't get out."

Earlier story ...

CHARDON (AP) -- Officials say four students were wounded in a shooting at their high school outside Cleveland and one person is in custody.

FBI agent Scott Wilson said after Monday morning's shooting that there was one suspected shooter. He wouldn't discuss the extent of the students' injuries.

The shooting was reported around 7:30 a.m. Monday at Chardon High School.

Chardon is about 30 miles east of Cleveland.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Gunfire at a high school outside Cleveland injured a number of students Monday morning, and at least one suspect has been taken into custody, officials said.

The shooting was reported around 7:30 a.m. at the 1,100-student Chardon High School about 30 miles east of Cleveland, said Civil Deputy Erin Knife of the Geauga County Sheriff's Office. She didn't know the number of victims, but multiple news reports cited four students shot.

Television news footage showed anxious parents escorting children away from a school building, and ambulances could be seen outside.

Superintendent Joseph Bergant II told television station WKYC that the culprit is in custody. He said he didn't know the extent of the students' injuries.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland's MetroHealth System said a medical helicopter was dispatched to the high school. Schools in the area were locked down.

Bob Herp, a Chardon trauma nurse, was at a command scene at a local Wal-Mart store where he said helicopters were on the ground.

Chardon is a city of about 5,100 residents.

Earlier story ...

CHARDON, Ohio (AP) -- Gunfire at a high school outside Cleveland injured a number of students Monday morning, and at least one suspect has been taken into custody, officials said.

The shooting was reported around 7:30 a.m. at the 1,100-student Chardon High School about 30 miles east of Cleveland, said Civil Deputy Erin Knife of the Geauga County Sheriff's Office. She didn't know the number of victims, but multiple news reports cited four students shot.

Television news footage showed anxious parents escorting children away from a school building, and ambulances could be seen outside.

Superintendent Joseph Bergant II told television station WKYC that the culprit is in custody. He said he didn't know the extent of the students' injuries.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland's MetroHealth System said a medical helicopter was dispatched to the high school. Schools in the area were locked down.

Bob Herp, a Chardon trauma nurse, was at a command scene at a local Wal-Mart store where he said helicopters were on the ground.

Chardon is a city of about 5,100 residents.

Earlier story:

Chardon High School is on lockdown after a shooting at the school. Reports say there were two shooters, and both are in custody.

School spokeswoman Ellen Ondrey said district officials are asking parents not to come to the school, but to go to the district headquarters.

Ondrey could not confirm the number of shooters or the number of victims.

WKYC-TV 3 spoke to a parent of a male student at the school. He said he heard about the shooting on the radio and raced to the school. He said he had spoken to his son, whom he described as "very calm."

"I'm absolutely scared out of my mind," he said.

"I just want him back. I'm not gonna be able to calm down until I can hold him."

He said that his son didn't know much when he spoke with him on the phone.